Process of separating water from emulsions, &amp;c.



No. 654,258. Pitented July 24, I900. J. P. IHART.

PROCESS OF SEPARATING WATER FROM EMUL'SIONS, 81.0.

7 (Application filed Feb. 5, 1897.) (No Model.)

LHJTHTEEE- MW- UNITED STATES OHN P. IIIART, OF YORK, N. Y.,

PATENT OFFIGE.

ASSIGNOR OF ONE-I-IA-LF TO ARTHUR H. ELLIOTT, OF SAME PLACE SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 654,258, dated July 24, 1900.

Application filed Iebinary 5, 1897- Serlal No- 622,115. (No speoimensll To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN P. IHART, of New York, in the county and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Processes of Separating ater from Emulsions, Mixtures, and Compounds of Oil and zYater, of which the following is a specifica- My invention relates to an improvement in lo the process of separating water from emulsions, mixtures, and compounds of oil and water with the object in View of effecting the separation in a safe and expeditious manner; and it consists in passing the emulsion, mix- :5 ture, cr compound t be treated through a layer of dehydrated oil or tar while the latter is maintained at a temperature suiiiciently high to expel the water from the emulsion, mixture, or compound as fast as the latter :0 comes into contact with the dehydrated mass.

Hitherto in undertaking to separate water from emulsions, mixtures, and compounds of oil and water or tar and water by subjecting the mass to the influence of heat the water would not pass off from the mass until the latter had reached a degree of heatfar above that of the boiling-point of water, so that the water after being converted into steam was further superheated in the mass and finally o escaped in a sudden rush after the manner of an explosion of greater or lesser intensity, rendering it unsafe for the attendants and unsatisfactory because of the sudden lifting of more or less of the mass of oil ortar into 5 the steam-discharge conduit. My present invention entirely overcomes the danger and objections heretofore encountered and provides for a steady and rapid separation completely under the control of the attendant.

The accompanying drawing represents in elevation, partlyin section, one form of an apparatus which may be used to carry my pro cess into practical effect.

A represents a'separating Vessel of such structure as to admit of applying heat thereto to keep the contents at a temperature of 300 Fahrenheit, more or less. Through its top there extends a discharge-pipe a for conveying away the steam and such light products as may pass ofi at the temperature required to discharge the water. A pipe 13 terminates near the bottom of the vessel A for convey ing to the interior of the Vessel the emulsion, mixture, or compound to be treated. An outlet-pipe 0 leads from a point at or near the bottom of the vessel and has in communication therewith an overflow branch 0, extendin g upwardly to a point at the height to which it is found desirable to maintain the mass within the vessel. The pipe 0 is provided with a stop-cock c for convenience in drawing off the mass when desired, and a test-pipe D, with a cock (I, is located at the upper portion of the vessel. The object of locating the pipe D intermediate of the height of the overflow and the mouth of the esca e at the top of the vessel is to determine whether or not there is any foam forming on the surfaceof the liquid which would be liable to enter the escape-pipe. If there is, the cock d is opened and the foam 7o allowed to escape.

In operation the vesselAis filled to a height at or somewhat below the dotted line w :1: with a dehydrated oil or tar, and this is heated to and maintained at a temperature of 300 Fahrenheit, more or less, the degree of temperature being that at which the water will escape from the particular oil or tar being treated. The mass from which the water is to be expelled is then allowed to flow into the bottom of the heated mass of dehydrated ma terial at such a rate as may be found expedient. As fast as it comes into contact with the heated mass the water is expelled, rising to the surface and passing off through the pipe a. The mass of dehydrated material is kept at the level of the mouth of the overflow-pipe o by the graduated dischargeof the dehydrated material as it accumulates within the vessel A.

One use to which I have applied this pr0- cess with eminent success is the separation of water from the tar resulting from the use of petroleum in the manufacture of gas for lighting and heating purposes. Forthis par- 9 5 ticular purpose I till the vessel A up to the line a: m with the dehydrated tar raised to and maintained at a temperature of about 300 Fahrenheit, and into-the bottom of this mass, through the pipe B, I introduce the mixture toe of tar and water resulting from the use of petroleum in the manufacture of gas. As

the hydrated tar comes intcontact with the dehydrated mass the water is dispelled and passes off in the form of steam from the escape a, while the dehydrated mass is kept substantially at the level as a; by the overflow of the surplus, due to the introduction ofthe hydrated mass, through the overflow c. I do not, however, wish to limit myself to this use, as the process is applicable to all mixtures, emulsions, and compounds of animal, vegetable, and mineral oils susceptible to distillation.

- YVhat I claim is-- The process of separating water-from mixand water consisting in gradually passing the mixture,'emulsion or compound to be treated, into a mass of the dehydrated oil or tar previously heated to a degree of I heat in excess of that which would cause the separation of water as steam from a mass of hydrated oil.

or tar whereby the water is driven off from the infiowing stream of hydrated oil or tar immediately on its becoming mixed with the FREDK. HAYNES, EDWARD VIESER. 

